Chapter 31

That Old Familiar Feeling

I couldn't feel him, the evil man wasn't in my head anymore; he was gone. It was as if he was more interested in something else.I had reached the basement which was rather dim, only partially lit by half the fluorescents available. I figured because it was night and the area wasn't typically used at night, they saved energy by turning off lights. I began to walk down the hall, trying the doors. I was really scared, so scared I didn't even have to pee anymore. I still couldn't reach Auri. I was almost at the end of the hall when I reached out and touched the door knob on the last set of doors. I received an immediate jolt. Auri had passed through this door recently. I stopped. I was so frightened that I decided I needed help.

Dad! Dad, help me! I thought as loud as I could. There was no response. Dad, Dad! I really need you, help!

Jesus, don't yell! What's wrong, where are you? The FBI has been looking for you.

I'm in the basement and there's something wrong. I think Auri is in trouble.

Where in the basement?

Uh, I took a stairwell from the lobby down and took a left and then a right.

I could feel his anxiety. Are you safe?

I don't know. I just know that Auri was here a few minutes ago and I have a bad feeling. I think she's in that room.

I'm on my way. Get away from that room. Meet me at the staircase.

I ran back to the stairwell, but I knew that there was something really bad behind those doors. I was getting impatient waiting for my Dad. I kept looking up the stairwell, but my Dad surprised me by coming from a different direction. I jumped out of my skin when he put his hand on my shoulder.

He hugged me, "I took the elevator. Now where is this room?"

"Down here."

We walked to within a few feet of the door and then pointed to it, my Dad turned white. I listened into his thoughts, This is the back side of the kitchen, where they make and keep the deserts.

I freaked out, "This is the kitchen?"

He clenched his teeth and whispered, "I told you not to read my mind." He closed his eyes for a few seconds, "Yes, this is the kitchen."

"Then we gotta get in there Dad! I saw her dead in the kitchen!"

"Furey, this isn't our job. One, if Auri is in there and he has her, then he has her gun. She wouldn't want us getting killed trying to protect her. You run and find John and Petrie, bring them down here."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to stay here and see if anyone comes out."

I nodded and ran to find them.